flowers — Page 196

A Foggy Haze on Wednesday Morning

September 7, 2016 at 9:59 am by Claudia

My husband made me coffee this morning after a rather tough night for yours truly – an allergy attack that had me coughing for quite a long time. We mowed yesterday and there’s a lot of pollen floating around out there, not to mention the ragweed I found right at the end of our driveway! Do I leave it or do I pull it? Pulling it might do as much damage as leaving it, don’t you think?

This morning, in my foggy haze, this is what I saw outside the kitchen window. Keep in mind that it was shot through the window and then through the chicken wire fence:

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A bunny and a goldfinch. Both were happily eating, seemingly unaware of each other. A hearty yay for two reasons: this particular bunny that I inadvertently frightened off one day is back, and I saw a goldfinch – a bird! – when all my birdie friends seem to be flying south. I also saw a bluejay this morning. That makes me happy.

I forgot to add this photo to yesterday’s recap:

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Husband playing guitar on porch.

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Waiting for morning glory blooms. And, maybe, just maybe, moonflower blooms. I’m doubtful about the moonflowers, but never say never. Come on guys! What if we get an early frost? I need to see some blooms!

Hanging in there and still going for the time being:

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Thank goodness for phlox, which really lasts a long time!

I’m reading a bit of nonfiction at the moment, before I start a novel I have to review next Monday. After reading something as powerful and exquisitely written as A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny, I find I have to take a break for a few days. I do this partly because I want to linger on the story and world in which I was so deeply immersed. But I also do it because heading right into another novel that I have to review would be unfair. I’d be unconsciously comparing it to the Penny. I need to ‘clean the slate.’ I think I’ll be ready to start the novel tomorrow. Maybe today.

In the meantime, I’m finishing up Barbara Cook’s autobiography. She may very well be my favorite singer.

Have you seen Philomena with Judi Dench and Steve Coogan? We watched it the other night on Netflix and it was simply wonderful! Best movie we’ve seen in a long time. Beautifully acted by both Dench and Coogan.

Happy Wednesday.

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Henry, Buds, Books, and Pottery

September 4, 2016 at 9:58 am by Claudia

Let’s start with one of my favorite beings – Henry.

I’ve spotted him several times over the past few days. He comes out of his underground home, eats, stops, listens, gets scared, and retreats. Meals must be so stressful for him.

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These photos are taken from my hiding place inside the kitchen, of course. If I tried to move outside, he’d immediately retreat.

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He’s getting gray. He’s moving a bit more slowly. (Just like us.)

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He’s always alone. I worry about him being lonely, just like I worry about the single mourning dove. I wish they knew I think of them as my friends and that I’m right here, watching them. Love you, Henry.

Spotted yesterday:

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Moonflower buds. They’re tiny, but they’re there.

Don and I took off for the town of Saugerties yesterday. We ate a yummy vegetarian lunch at a Mexican restaurant, and spent time in two different bookshops. I bought Felicity, Mary Oliver’s latest book of poetry, and a used copy of The Lyre of Orpheus by Robertson Davies, one of my very favorite authors. I own most of his books, but – you guessed it – they’re in the dreaded shed. So I’m slowly rebuilding my collection.

We arrived back home to see a box waiting for me. I knew what was in it.

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Hello, gorgeous Roseville in the Ixia pattern!

You might remember that I purchased a vase in this pattern several months ago. It just might be my favorite pattern – at least for now. I especially love it in this soft green (it comes in other color combinations) and the art deco styling of those handles. You’re looking at the front.

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Here is the back.

I haven’t been bidding on any Roseville for a long time, partly because I was putting any funds I could spare into Don’s mini studio, but also because prices, especially starting bid prices, on eBay had risen and I wasn’t about to pay that much. But I occasionally stop in and check out what’s new. This vase was listed at a very fair price, but the shipping costs were way too high. So, after learning my lesson the last time I bid without checking the cost of shipping, I emailed the seller. He kindly checked into it and (this is the second seller who has told me this) said that eBay had estimated that cost – why, he didn’t know – and he promptly revised it. So I bid on it. And no one else did. What??

It’s in perfect condition.

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Here are my two Ixias.

We’ve been having absolutely gorgeous weather; mid-seventies, no humidity, blue skies with big fluffy clouds. Grateful.

Happy Sunday.

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Falling Leaves, Blooming Flowers and Tasks Completed

September 1, 2016 at 9:35 am by Claudia

The first day of September brought rain during the night and a foggy, cool and wet morning. It’s as if Mother Nature said, “See? It’s now September. Prepare for Autumn. Now.”

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This is what I’m looking at this morning. Leaves on the roof, in the gutter, on the ground.

I’m not ready yet, Mother Nature. You may be. But I’m not quite there. Give me a bit more time, won’t you?

Thank goodness for the Memorial Garden. Yet again while in my pajamas (new ones, thank you very much!) I went outside to record what’s happening there.

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Those are morning glory buds, my friends! Better late than never. I love morning glories and one of the pleasures of late summer/early autumn here is the chance to see their beauty. And photograph them, of course.

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On the other hand, this is the moonflower vine, which has really taken off and is climbing up the trellis and on the fence. Gorgeous, green and all over the place – but no flower buds in sight. Not a one. I planted these seeds late in the Spring, so I’m still hoping. I examine it every day. I do so hope it blooms, but even if it doesn’t, I love looking at these large, beautiful heart-shaped leaves.

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The roses given to me in honor of my father are still blooming! This one opened up today.

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As is the Sentimental Balloon Flower. Beautiful.

Oh yesterday, what a day! On very little sleep, I was bound and determined to finish sorting receipts, going through bank records, calculating and recording so that we could submit our deductions for 2015 today. Six hours at the desk, with a quick break here and there, while Don was downstairs calculating his deductions.

Darned if we didn’t finish! Today I’m mailing them off to our accountant. I’m sure we’ll owe money, the only question is how much. Gulp. (Doesn’t seem fair that our hard-earned and long-awaited Social Security is taxed. Boo.) But I feel a great sense of accomplishment – silly, really – because I tackled this task I detest and met my deadline. On about three hours sleep.

Last night, I slept beautifully and started the morning with some Peet’s French Roast and some Louise Penny.

I thought I had mentioned that we wanted to travel next year – I did, didn’t I? Maybe I just hadn’t mentioned where we wanted to go. I have a modest inheritance from my father. Don has always expressed a longing to visit England (we’re both Anglophiles). I’ve been there several times, but he hasn’t. On the other hand, I have never been to Paris (though he has). So I decided that I was going to use part of the inheritance so that we can take this long-dreamed-of trip.

I’m not sure when it will take place because I have coaching commitments from late December of this year through May of next year. Maybe right after that. I think my dad would be very happy indeed that he is giving us the gift of this trip.

Happy Thursday.

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A Foggy Haze on Wednesday Morning

Henry, Buds, Books, and Pottery

Falling Leaves, Blooming Flowers and Tasks Completed

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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